The Apple Watch could see its functionality expanded in the near future thanks to "smart watch bands".
BGR learnt from its source that Apple is planning to introduce interchangeable "smart watch bands" which have various features such as a built-in camera and a secondary battery pack. These bands will reportedly help Apple bring a "game-changing health feature" to the Apple Watch without increasing the price of the wearable.
CNBC previously reported that Apple is developing optical sensors to monitor blood glucose levels and the Apple Watch could be the perfect device. However, such sensors or health monitoring features would get the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) involved with the development of the device, which could hold back Apple's release cycles and innovation. The regulatory process could be avoided or made easier with a smart band that has a built-in glucose monitoring feature.
Apple apparently has 200 PhDs working on this feature as part of the company's focus on "improving and innovating in the health space" with the Apple Watch. Tim Bajarin from TIME echoed the same thoughts last year that the main focus of the Apple Watch is actually health. We've already seen how the Apple Watch is able to detect abnormal heart rate with up to 97% accuracy and how it did save a man's life.
Source: BGR
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